I thought Sun was getting closer to the concept of open source but allegations from apache software foundation have make me think a bit differently now. The foundation has been waiting for a license for the Java technology kit required for Apache's Harmony project for quite some time. It is alleged that Sun has been holding out on the license for protecting its commercial interests from open source competition and therefore Apache has been waiting since August 2006 to get the license. An open letter in this regard has been posted online to Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun by Geir Magnusson, V.P of Apache Harmony Project.

The kit is required by Apache for exhibiting its compatibility with Java SE specification but the license being offered by Sun imposes intellectual property rights restrictions with certain limitations on the use. As a result Apache software cannot be used in certain fields and hence puts it at a commercial disadvantage over others. After sheer frustration of eight months Apache was forced to go public on this issue and in strict words it has asked for the license within thirty days or a public explanation as to why it is not possible. When contacted Sun it stated that it was checking on the issue and had nothing to say as of now.

It can be clearly seen as a war of open source efforts where Sun might be trying to slow down the efforts of Apache so that it can catch up fast.